New Delhi, Dec. 22 -- Investors brace for a critical stretch, earnings from heavyweight companies and fresh cues from the Federal Reserve are shaping whether US stocks push higher or finally pause after a relentless rally.

Wall Street is entering a decisive week, one that could determine whether the US stock market's rally extends into the new year or begins to show meaningful cracks. After months of gains fueled by optimism around artificial intelligence, resilient consumer spending, and expectations of eventual interest rate cuts, investors are now confronting a narrower set of questions. How durable are corporate profits at these valuations, and how committed is the Federal Reserve to holding the line against inflation?

The answers m...